Stormy Start to Tuesday Could Be Just the Beginning

Northwest Kansas didn’t have to wait until the afternoon for severe weather Tuesday.

Severe thunderstorms were already moving across portions of the NWKS Radio listening area Tuesday morning, August 25, an unusual start to what could be several active days of weather across the Tri-State region.

Shortly after 8 a.m. CDT, the National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Norton, Decatur, northern Graham and northeastern Sheridan counties. The storm was moving east at around 40 mph with the potential for 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail.

By 8:35 a.m., the storm was west of Lenora and continuing toward areas including Norton, Hill City, Almena, Lenora, Norcatur, Bogue and Jennings. The storm was also producing torrential rainfall, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and accumulating hail that could make roads slick and hazardous.

Meanwhile, a Flood Advisory was issued for southwestern Red Willow County in Nebraska, including McCook. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain had already fallen in that area, with up to another inch possible Tuesday morning.

Severe thunderstorms during the morning hours aren’t something we see every day in northwest Kansas, and Tuesday morning’s activity comes ahead of another potentially active period later today.

Tuesday Is the Main Day to Watch

The National Weather Service in Goodland says there are daily chances for severe weather through at least Thursday, with Tuesday currently the primary day of concern. Forecasters expect the main severe weather opportunity later Tuesday to develop during the late afternoon and evening.

According to the NWS weather packet, Tuesday's storms could potentially produce some significant hazards. Early isolated storms could favor large hail, potentially greater than 2 inches. If storms later organize into clusters or a line, damaging wind could become the bigger concern, with gusts potentially reaching 85 mph. There is also a low chance for a couple of brief tornadoes.

Forecasters say the later-day severe threat could arrive in two waves. One could develop in southwestern Nebraska and move south, with hail as the primary concern. Another cluster or line of storms could develop in eastern Colorado and move east-southeast, bringing a greater damaging-wind threat. The severe threat could continue into the early morning hours Wednesday, with additional thunderstorms possibly lingering even longer.

There is some uncertainty in exactly how Tuesday will unfold, so residents should continue checking the forecast throughout the day.

More Storm Chances Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday brings another chance for severe weather, especially across eastern Colorado. Strong winds and hail would be the primary concerns. The National Weather Service says there is a less than 5% chance of isolated storms developing in northwest Kansas Wednesday, but any storms that do develop could be capable of producing large hail.

The unsettled pattern continues Thursday, when thunderstorms may again move southeast during the afternoon and evening. Details remain uncertain this far out, but hail and damaging winds are currently the primary threats. Some storms could linger into early Friday morning.

NWKS Radio Will Keep You Updated

With storms already making themselves known Tuesday morning and additional severe weather opportunities ahead, this is a good week to stay weather aware.

If severe weather develops, all NWKS Radio stations will provide the latest warnings, storm information and updates, along with interviews and information from local meteorologists.

Listen to 100.3 The Ride, RockIt 102.5, KXXX 790 and FlyOver Country 97.9 for severe weather coverage.

You can also listen anywhere by streaming your NWKS Radio station at nwksradio.net.

Keep an eye on the sky, have multiple ways to receive warnings, and stay with NWKS Radio as we track what could be an active stretch of weather through Thursday.